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After El Paso joined Abbott''s border crackdown, the number of dead migrants in the New Mexico desert surged

In a detailed examination of Texas' Operation Lone Star, a border security initiative launched by Governor Greg Abbott in 2021, significant concerns have been raised about the program's impact on migrant safety and the increasing number of deaths along the Texas-New Mexico border, particularly near El Paso. Operation Lone Star, a multi-billion-dollar effort, has deployed thousands of Texas National Guard members and Department of Public Safety troopers to the border with the stated goal of curbing illegal immigration and drug trafficking. However, the initiative has come under scrutiny for its aggressive tactics, including the installation of razor wire, floating barriers in the Rio Grande, and other physical deterrents designed to prevent migrants from crossing into Texas. Critics argue that these measures have not only failed to deter migration but have instead pushed desperate individuals into more dangerous and remote areas, leading to a tragic rise in migrant deaths.

The El Paso region, a historically significant crossing point for migrants, has become a focal point of this crisis. The city's proximity to Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, makes it a natural entry point for many seeking asylum or better opportunities in the United States. However, under Operation Lone Star, the border in this area has been heavily fortified. Texas authorities have installed miles of concertina wire along the border, including in areas near the Rio Grande, where migrants often attempt to cross. Additionally, state troopers and National Guard members have been stationed at key points to intercept migrants, often turning them back or detaining them under state trespassing laws—a controversial practice that has drawn legal challenges. These enforcement strategies have forced migrants to seek alternative routes, often through the harsh desert terrain of southern New Mexico, where they face extreme weather conditions, dehydration, and a lack of access to help.

The consequences of these detours have been devastating. Migrants, including families with children, have been found dead in remote areas after succumbing to heat exhaustion, dehydration, or injuries sustained during their journey. The desert landscape near El Paso and into New Mexico is unforgiving, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and plummeting at night. Many migrants are unprepared for the physical toll of such treks, often lacking adequate water, food, or protective clothing. Humanitarian groups and local officials in New Mexico have reported finding bodies in various stages of decomposition, a grim testament to the dangers of these alternate routes. The exact number of deaths is difficult to ascertain due to underreporting and the challenges of tracking incidents in such vast, isolated areas, but the trend is clear: the human cost of border enforcement policies like Operation Lone Star is mounting.

Local communities and advocacy organizations have expressed growing alarm over the situation. In El Paso, faith-based groups and nonprofits that provide aid to migrants have criticized Operation Lone Star for prioritizing enforcement over human life. They argue that the state's policies are not addressing the root causes of migration—such as violence, poverty, and political instability in Central America and other regions—but are instead exacerbating the risks migrants face. These groups have called for more humane approaches, including expanded access to legal pathways for asylum seekers and increased resources for border communities to handle migrant arrivals. They also point out that the heavy militarization of the border has strained local resources, with El Paso and other border cities bearing the brunt of both enforcement costs and the humanitarian fallout.

On the other side of the debate, supporters of Operation Lone Star maintain that the initiative is necessary to secure the border and protect Texas communities from what they describe as unchecked illegal immigration. Governor Abbott and other state leaders have repeatedly framed the program as a response to federal inaction on border security, accusing the Biden administration of failing to enforce immigration laws. They argue that the physical barriers and increased law enforcement presence are critical tools to deter crossings and disrupt smuggling networks. Proponents also highlight the program's focus on combating drug trafficking, particularly the flow of fentanyl and other narcotics across the border, which they say poses a significant threat to public safety. For these officials, the tragic outcomes for some migrants are an unfortunate but unavoidable consequence of enforcing the rule of law.

However, the reality on the ground tells a more complex story. In addition to the humanitarian concerns, Operation Lone Star has sparked tensions between Texas and federal authorities, as well as with neighboring states like New Mexico. The state’s use of razor wire and other barriers has led to legal disputes with the federal government, which argues that Texas is overstepping its authority and interfering with federal jurisdiction over immigration and border management. New Mexico officials have also raised concerns about the spillover effects of Texas’ policies, noting that the redirection of migrant routes into their state has placed additional burdens on local law enforcement and emergency services. In some cases, New Mexico ranchers and residents have encountered migrants in distress on their properties, further complicating the situation.

The broader implications of Operation Lone Star extend beyond immediate border security concerns. The program has become a lightning rod in the national debate over immigration policy, reflecting deeper divisions over how the United States should address migration at its southern border. For many in Texas, the initiative symbolizes a stand against perceived federal overreach and a commitment to state sovereignty. For others, it represents a harsh and shortsighted approach that prioritizes political posturing over practical solutions. The deaths near El Paso and in the deserts of New Mexico serve as a stark reminder of the human stakes involved in this debate, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform that balances security with compassion.

As Operation Lone Star continues, the toll on migrants and border communities shows no signs of abating. Humanitarian workers in El Paso report an ongoing struggle to provide aid to those who manage to cross, many of whom arrive in dire physical and emotional condition after harrowing journeys. Meanwhile, the bodies of those who do not survive are often discovered too late, leaving families in limbo and communities grappling with the tragedy of preventable loss. The situation raises profound questions about the ethics and efficacy of current border policies, challenging policymakers to consider whether the costs of enforcement—both in dollars and in human lives—are worth the outcomes.

In conclusion, Operation Lone Star has reshaped the landscape of border security in Texas, with significant and often tragic consequences for migrants attempting to cross near El Paso and into New Mexico. While the program has achieved some of its stated goals in terms of deterrence and enforcement, it has also contributed to a humanitarian crisis marked by rising deaths in remote desert areas. The tension between security and compassion remains unresolved, as local communities, advocacy groups, and state and federal officials grapple with the fallout. As the debate over immigration policy continues, the stories of those lost in the desert serve as a poignant call for a more balanced and humane approach to one of the most pressing issues facing the nation today.

Read the Full The Texas Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.texastribune.org/2025/06/16/texas-operation-lone-star-border-el-paso-deaths-migrants-new-mexico/ ]